COG: Great Nations (Signed Paperback)

Children of Gaia: The Great Nations of Rendaraia – Signed Paperback by Jayel Draco

In this first book from the Children of Gaia series, we explore the backstory and lore of Rendaraian culture. The five Great Nations of Rendaraia have stood for centuries as strongholds of culture, magic, science, and military strength. When, one by one, the Nations mysteriously fall—each destroyed in a day, with no word or warning—the intrepid scholar Jan’Ka’Zian sets out to record a complex network of intertwined cultures on the edge of destruction. Jayel Draco’s gorgeous illustrations present a vivid picture of elaborate cityscapes and mountain vistas, vast skyfaring fleets, and fantastic flora and fauna.

This limited first edition trade paperback explores the cultures, histories, and social structures of the five Great Nations, narrated and illustrated from the perspective of Jan’Ka’Zian, a fictional character from the Children of Gaia series. Only 100 of these were printed, so be sure to get yours before they’re gone!

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Description

“The Great Nations of Rendaraia is a scholastic account of the five great nations and their mysterious downfall. The first part briefly documents the history of Arilyness, Lithicus, Mithera, Danrock, and Noda. Each of these nations concentrates on a particular field of learning, from the spiritual knowledge of Mithera, to the architects of Danrock. This specialisation is only possible due to the Hodgeskeen, a nomadic nation that ties the five together through the trade opportunities and transport their air ships provide. One day the Hodgeskeen arrive at the capital of Mithera and find it in ruins with no survivors and no clues as to who or what toppled the nation. The Great Nations fall one after the other, but nobody knows how until it’s too late.

This book is a visual feast filled with detailed maps and stunning illustrations by author, Jayel Draco. The narrative focuses more on the culture and origins of the great nations than the story of what happened to them, but this fits the book’s presentation as a scholar’s effort to preserve history. I love that the author included homosexual relationships and non-binary gendered characters. Rendaraia is one of the most fantastical worlds I’ve ever encountered. The only drawback I found is the names of people and places are a little difficult to remember. The Great Nations of Rendaraia is the sort of book you tuck away with the most treasured novels in your library, removing it from the shelf every now and then simply to admire it.”—Caitlin O’Connor

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Additional information

Weight

19.8 oz

Dimensions

11 × 8.75 × .5 in

1 review for COG: Great Nations (Signed Paperback)

Rated 5 out of 5

Jessica Williams –May 25, 2018

The Great Nations of Rendaraia takes you on a beautiful and emotional journey that will stay with you longer after you finish reading it. This book is a stroke of genius, written from the perspective of one of the characters in the world. The sombre tone of the book is made all the more powerful by the fictional writer’s desperate desire to preserve his knowledge in the wake of tragedy. It’s extremely immersive and makes you feel as though you were right there with him. The level of detail and intricacies of this story are nothing short of mindblowing.

Accompanying the outstanding narrative you will find a series of gorgeous illustrations by Jayel Draco himself. They are incredibly detailed and work very well with the story to bring this well-conceived world to life.

From the well written, evocative narrative to the absolutely stunning illustrations, this story is one that will touch your heart and mind and leave you wanting more. Jayel Draco has proven himself to be not only an incredibly talented author and artist but also a world-builder of the highest calibre. The Great Nations of Rendaraia is one book that you will never regret reading and should be passed on through generations.